Corruption and Crime Widespread Concerns in Andean Region

A recent survey has revealed a sharp decline in public trust towards institutions and a significant increase in corruption perceptions across all Andean countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile.

Decline in Public Trust

The survey found that Ecuador experienced the largest increase in the percentage of respondents who believe that some or all actors within government institutions are involved in corrupt practices. In fact, 78% of respondents believe that most or all members of the National Assembly are involved in corrupt activities, a 24-percentage-point increase from 2017.

Judiciary and Law Enforcement Decline

The judiciary and law enforcement agencies also saw significant declines in public trust, with 37- and 33-point increases respectively, in the percentage of respondents who believe that most or all actors engage in corrupt practices.

Bribery Remains a Pervasive Issue

On average, Andean respondents reported paying a bribe most often when requesting a government permit, except in Colombia where they reported paying bribes to request public benefits or assistance.

Concerns about Crime and Trust

The survey also highlighted concerns about crime victimization and trust in institutions. In Ecuador, approximately 41% of respondents reported experiencing a crime in the last year, with more than half not reporting it to authorities due to a lack of confidence in the system.

Trust in institutions has also declined significantly in Ecuador, with only 35% of respondents reporting having some or a lot of trust in people living in their country. In contrast, Colombians reported the highest overall levels of trust across all institutions.

Key Findings

Corruption perceptions declined in every Andean country, with Ecuador experiencing the largest increase.
78% of respondents believe that most or all members of the National Assembly in Ecuador are involved in corrupt activities.
Bribery remains a pervasive issue across the region, with the majority of respondents reporting paying bribes to obtain government permits.
Crime victimization is a significant concern, with over half of respondents in Ecuador not reporting crimes due to lack of trust in authorities.
Trust in institutions has declined significantly in Ecuador, with only 35% of respondents reporting having some or a lot of trust in people living in their country.

Recommendations

Governments and civil society should work together to address corruption and crime through effective policies, laws, and enforcement mechanisms.
Institutions must be held accountable for their actions and decisions.
Victims of crime must receive adequate support and protection to ensure justice and fairness.
Public trust must be restored by increasing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in governance.